"It's a bomb:" Fall River man arraigned on hoax, robbery charges

A Fall River man told police he was looking to support his drug habit when he robbed a Hess service station Monday and left behind a device he said was a bomb, prosecutors said.

The alleged hoax prompted the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad to respond and evacuate the area around the service station at 614 Pleasant St. The device — a blue-taped box with a blinking light on it — was later determined not to be an explosive.

Brian Fraga

A Fall River man told police he was looking to support his drug habit when he robbed a Hess service station Monday and left behind a device he said was a bomb, prosecutors said.

The alleged hoax prompted the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad to respond and evacuate the area around the service station at 614 Pleasant St. The device — a blue-taped box with a blinking light on it — was later determined not to be an explosive.

Robert Raymond Chase, 50, of 226 Haffards St., allegedly admitted to robbing the service station after Fall River police arrested him at his residence Monday evening, police said.

Chase was ordered held on $12,500 cash bail after being arraigned Tuesday on charges of armed robbery, false bomb threat, possessing a hoax bomb with intent to cause fear, and disturbing the peace. Prosecutors had requested a $25,000 cash bail because of the seriousness of the allegations.

The service station clerk told police that an older white man, carrying a package, entered the store Monday around 5:17 p.m. and purchased a soft drink. He left the station and returned a few minutes later. The suspect placed the item on the counter and said, “This is what I wanted to show you. It’s a bomb,” according to court documents.

The suspect also took out what appeared to be a remote control and demanded money. The clerk handed about $240 to the suspect, who then left the store and got into a taxi that he had called a few minutes earlier, police said.

Witnesses helped lead police to find Chase at his residence, where investigators said they also found wire cutters, blue tape, an empty box of baking soda and a small electronics board consistent with the hoax device.

The cab driver identified Chase as the man he had given a ride from the service station to the corner of Eastern Avenue and Downing Street. When the cab driver arrived at the service station, Chase told him to wait a minute before going back into the store and coming out less than a minute later, police said.

After being arrested, Chase complained of chest pains and was transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, according to court documents.

During Chase’s arraignment in Fall River District Court, Assistant District Attorney Kyle McPherson said Chase has a three-page Board of Probation record that includes several substance-related arrests, including two convictions for operating under the influence.

Chase told police that he had a “severe cocaine addiction.” He also told detectives that he had staked out the service station before the robbery. Chase said he also called the taxi company because he figured he would not be able to get far on foot, court records said.

A defense attorney noted that Clark’s record included no history of missing court hearings in requesting that he be released on personal recognizance.

After setting bail at $12,500 bail, Judge Thomas S. Barrett ordered Chase to return to court June 11 for a probable cause hearing.

Monday evening’s bomb threat prompted police to close off Pleasant Street, from Thirteenth Street to Fifteenth Street, until approximately 7:30 p.m. The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad used a robot to view the alleged bomb inside the service station, and later determined that the device was not explosive.

Also on Monday night, Fall River police responded to another bomb threat reported at the Hess service station at 145 Milliken Blvd. Around 9:42 p.m., someone speaking in a “disguised voice” called the station and told the clerk that a bomb had been placed inside the station clerk’s booth. Fall River police officers responded, searched the booth and did not find any suspicious items, Fall River Police Detective JD Costa said.

Email Brian Fraga at bfraga@heraldnews.com.

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